Exit Readiness
Grow Your Child Care Business With Expert Guidance
From Startup To Exit: We're Here To Support Every Step
We understand that as early childhood professionals, your primary focus and expertise lie in creating nurturing environments where children can thrive. We also recognize that running a successful child care business involves more than just caring for children.
The business side, with its various tasks and obligations, can sometimes feel overwhelming. That's precisely why the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) partnered with the Colorado SBDC to develop the Child Care Business Program. Building on your progress with CDEC, the Colorado SBDC guides child care business owners, both new and established, through every stage of business. We offer expert advising, skill-building training, and business development resources to confidently manage operations, scale growth, and plan for future transitions.
Depending on your specific needs, Colorado SBDC advisors may refer you to any one of these partner agencies:
- Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)
- Colorado Shines
- Division of Early Learning Licensing & Administration (DELLA)
- Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA)
Rest assured, we've got you covered. We're all on the same team working together to make sure you access the right services and support to help you with your business.
Connect With The Colorado SBDC
Who Should Enroll In This Program?
This program is suited for child care professionals at all stages of business, including:
- New and existing child care administrators
- Home-based child care businesses
- Child care centers and preschools
- Individuals interested in starting a child care business
Through a combination of workshops, child care courses, advising and assignments, our Child Care Business Program provides expert guidance and assistance in these eight business areas:
The Advantages of Our Child Care Business Program
From Business Planning To Operational Success
- Gain Expert Guidance on Business Fundamentals
Learn essential skills in financial management, marketing, and operations, tailored specifically for the child care industry, ensuring your business thrives from the start or reaches new heights.
- Develop Proven Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Families
Learn effective marketing techniques and relationship-building strategies to build a strong reputation and maintain consistent enrollment.
- Enhance Your Operational Efficiency and Maximize Profitability
Discover practical tools and techniques to streamline your daily operations, manage resources effectively, and improve your bottom line.
- Access a Supportive Network and Ongoing Mentorship
Connect with fellow child care professionals, industry experts, and Colorado SBDC advisors, building valuable relationships and receiving continuous support for your business growth.
Ready to get started? Connect with the Colorado SBDC to request a free and confidential 1:1 advising session today.
Improve Your Colorado Shines Rating
Earn Up To Two Points By Meeting With A Colorado SBDC Advisor
By implementing the fundamental business strategies covered in this training, you can also positively impact your Colorado Shines rating. For those unfamiliar, Colorado Shines is Colorado’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), designed to recognize high-quality licensed child care programs and assist families in finding the best options.
This system evaluates child care centers and family child care homes across various areas, including business practices, on a level of one to five. A strong Colorado Shines rating not only attracts more families but can also unlock potential grant opportunities and influence reimbursement rates through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP).
How do I earn QRIS points? In short, schedule an appointment to meet with a Colorado SBDC Advisor while enrolled in the Colorado Child Care Business Program. It's that easy.
- 3 Hours Of Advising = 1 Point QRIS
Program participants will receive three (3) hours minimum of Colorado SBDC advising focused on general business topics of your choice like Marketing, Operations, or Insurance.
- 4 Hours Of Advising = 2 Points QRIS
Program participants that add one (1) additional hour of finance advising to their baseline three (3) hour advising block, will earn one additional QRIS point.
CDEC has provided a spreadsheet outlining the QRIS indicators that are related to this business training. Please refer to this document for advising support for the QRIS.
(Family Child Care) QRIS Leadership, Business & Administration
(Child Care Centers) QRIS Leadership, Business & Administration
How Do I Access The Child Care Business Program?
Choose From Three Schedule-Friendly Options
After nearly 40 years of working with entrepreneurs and small business owners, we've learned that flexibility is key. With that said, we've designed three ways to access the tools, learnings and resources we offer child care professionals. Pick the option that best accommodates your schedule.
In Person
The Colorado SBDC provides a valuable opportunity to engage in scheduled Child Care Business Programs led by subject-matter experts. The in-person experience fosters dynamic learning through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and personalized guidance, allowing you to gain practical skills and insights directly applicable to your child care business.
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Hybrid
For those that cannot fully commit to attending an in-person program, the Colorado SBDC also offers a hybrid program option, where some participants are physically present in the center, while others can join remotely via video conferencing. This allows participants the opportunity to pick either a virtual or in-person option depending on how their week shapes up.
Find My Local SBDC Center
Virtual
For those that simply prefer the convenience of a virtual program, the Colorado SBDC has designed a self-paced learning platform that covers the same structured learnings presented in the other two options, but is delivered in four self-paced modules with sessions of advising between each module. Virtual participants engage in interactive activities, and skill development exercises using an array of discussions, quizzes, and assignments.
Small Business Online Learning Courses (English)
Cursos De Educación En Línea Para Pequeñas Empresas (Español)
In Their Own Words | Testimonial
“You can have the best business idea, but without visibility, your business won’t thrive. The missing piece is client attraction. We understood this, but didn’t know how to execute it effectively. For us, Diego provided the guidance we needed. Following his advice marked a turning point—phone calls and traffic increased fivefold. Now, our child care is fully booked, and we’re in the process of expanding.”
-Maria Cooper, Support Staff
Tree of Learning Child Care, Thornton, CO
Get Help For Your Small Business
Connect With The Colorado SBDC
The Colorado SBDC exists to bolster statewide economic development by providing accessible, expert resources and guidance to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Through free, confidential advising, and no- or low-cost business essential trainings, we level the playing field for all Colorado entrepreneurs and small businesses. With 14 full-time centers and more than 300 business experts, we're proud to serve every county in the state.
Partners
